1) Captain’s Pilot House looking for a ship.2) A real rust bucket serving out its last years attached to the dock as a floating home for crew members.3) Calm as can be for this Dock Portrait4) This rust bucket is in for an overhaul, long way to go.5) Take our picture, no problem with this 10mm lens. Distortion – yes but acceptable.6) Just finished pulled this boat into dry dock for repair and refurbishment. Friendly crew.7) A new boat under construction using local wood combined with fiberglass reinforcement for the boat’s hull. Cool.

(2) Image Gallery: Mylapore Temple (Video)

8) Temple Priests discussing particulars of which we are not privy.

9) Street Vendor selling cauliflowers, look good.10) The Temple Tower, i.e. main entrance on the east side.11) A great place to sit down and relax which I did. Bill – Is that you?12) The Chariot / Car Mascots at rest.13) Temple colors are rich and full of life.14) Temple Cow holding and milking facility.

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Welcome to Dashan Sheying where my photographic journey continues with a lesson from John Tuttle on adding frames to images in Photoshop using the Canvas Size tool under Image. The color for the widest band around the image is created with the color eye-dropper by sampling the main color of the image thus obtaining an overall blended look.

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

Note: You can right-click to “open the image in another tab” to view in a larger size / resolution, right-click to download if you heart desires… your call.

Note: Red-colored text is a link for more information, i.e. Wikipedia, YouTube, Map…

You must jump over to see John’s work on Facebook with his 4×5 large format camera of his recent images from New Mexico. Beautiful. The ability to capture tonality, texture, detail… with medium/large format film is the motivator for my next camera, i.e. a 120 film 6×6, 6×7 Fuji GF670 Folder. Arrives Monday 11/7.

Watch for my next post. I will be using The FIND Lab in Utah, USA for the development of negatives and subsequent scans. Hoping for a two-week turnaround from mailing to scans being uploaded.

PS I have my eye on a ShenHao 4×5 large format with a 6×17 film back / ground glass accessory. Not this year but maybe a 2017 adventure.

Fujifilm GF670 Medium Format

Three-Band Framing Gallery

Next, I’m fixing to add Chinese Characters to the LH side for a short poem representative of the image. Will need the help of my niece Li Ying (excellent in oral and written English) to find the appropriate characters in telling a complementary story. Thank-you John and Li Ying.

I appreciate your feedback on the framing as it’s potentially the beginning of my SMK “Brand Image”.

1) Waiting: Another early morning scene in front of the Chicken Market. What caught my eye doing 50kph was the man sitting on three-stacked plastic chairs – a first.2) Calling: A Muslin School for Orphans starts the day with what I presume to be one of the teachers catching up with friends.3) Sun(s)rise: A more artsy image as I’ve added a color gradient followed by adding a texture layer showing multiple suns at Sunrise.4) Illuminated Scarecrow: Found this lonely scarecrow amongst the cotton as the field is in transition to bare its white fruit.5) Miniature Scarecrow: Using the Fuji Filter for a Miniature-Look (Tilt-Shift) placed on the JPEG file.6) Auto Conversation: No doubt these two gentlemen are solving world hungry with an intense discussion.7) Speakers Corner: Past (deceased) Leaders from across India await a buyer yet in the meantime they’re in good company.8) Toy Scarecrow: Again with a different Fuji Filter for JPEGs the Toy Camera look is achieved.9) Golden Leaders: As they look out on their India, what do they think?10) Coffee Time: Traveling a brisk 65kph, took this image noting the tw0-wheelers (motorcycles) loaded with goods, i.e. colorful winter blankets. This is a 16×7 aspect ratio, popular amongst photographers for “panos”.

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Let me take you into another small paragraph of my life and times in India. Had a chance to witness a concrete road being laid at sunset so pulled out the X-Pro2 to capture the moment. Maybe not a “Decisive Moment” but a moment none the less.

As is normally the case, I get interesting looks, i.e. smiles, frowns, look-aways… as they wonder who is this foreigner taking my photo – why? What caught my eye was the unique load-carrying safety hard hat used by the women.

Load-Carrying Safety Hard Hat – Clever Dual-Purpose Wear

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

Note: You can right-click to “open the image in another tab” to view in a larger size / resolution, right-click to download if you heart desires… your call.

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Concrete Road Construction Gallery

1) Making concrete starts with the ingredients, sand, coarse rock aggregate, mortar/cement mix… then mix it all together and pour it out. The cycle repeats.2) A track and trolley system is used to transfer the mix.3) Into the straightaway, heading towards the finish line.4) At the end of the finish line. I was told the track is pull up ahead of being buried in the cement. Leveling, vibrating, striking, texturizing… the cement remains to be done over the next 24 hours. Remember concrete curing is an exothermic reaction generating heat which if not cooled (water/wet rags…) causes cracks/faults in the concrete.5) Finally the “Rubber mMeets the Road” as the load is dumped. One down, 100s to go.6) In a retro-style image, the women engage in talk awaiting their next task.

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Glad you stopped by. Let me share with you another sunrise photowalk around Kasemidu Fishing Harbor. Blue Hour started at 5:38a with Golden Hour ending at 6:38a. I overslept (first time) and we arrived at 5:55a with plenty of time to get the early morning light.

Given other commitments, we didn’t have time to walk south towards the Fish Market which is another story altogether. Next time on 11/7.

You can see the six piers on the LH side going left to right. We walked the 2nd and 3rd piers with plenty of action to witness as ships were readying themselves to leave (ice and diesel placed onboard). While other boat crews were counting their hard earned money from a day’s catch including a small portion of fish to take home to the family.

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

Note: You can right-click to “open the image in another tab” to view in a larger size / resolution, right-click to download if you heart desires… your call.

Note: Red-colored text is a link for more information, i.e. Wikipedia, YouTube, Map…

Icemen Gallery

Here he’s unloading ~25 ice blocks which are broken down into 4 pieces each then loaded by hand into the hull of the boat, cost Rs250/big block. The tire caught each block’s impact in avoiding the generation of ice cubes.A three-man operation loading the boat with the ice for the next catch of fish.If you have the money, the ice is placed in a pulverizer then taken to the boat’s hull hole by a conveyor and drop tube.Pulverizing the ice. Added a painting-like look to the image.

Boatmen Gallery

These two made a great diagonal image as they took a rest for the next haul out to sea.Time to repair the fishing net. Apparently, ~10 boats go out together with one big boat which anchors after laying the net and the other 9 boats later pull-in net for the day’s catch. Wonder if I could go out for an all-day excursion to see it first hand.After repairing the net, it’s pulled onto the boat and positioned for the next time at sea.Portrait of a young fisherman.An utility three-wheel cart for miscellaneous hauls. Love the bright red and yellows colors.There he was resting on a pier post like a seagull. His stare was interesting yet later turned to a smile.The Crew.Just a mixture of color and trash.Another Fisherman Portrait up close. He never changed his pose from the first I saw him.Of course, I shared Instax prints with 6 people this time. Fun to do.

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Back again (and again) to Mylapore as it’s a happening place during festival time with lots of people, colors and the morning/evening lighting as icing on the cake. The stand out attraction was Navarathri Golu Dolls.

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

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Photowalk Gallery

1) Light and Color are two ingredients for any image (B&W too). Here he appears to be floating.2) Looking up at the temple main gate as the setting sun spreads its rays across the various idols at work.3) One of my favorites in capturing the essence of light’s tonality at sunset.4) Street Kid at play in Mylapore5) I assume these two are waiting anxiously for the return of someone special after a brief shopping spree.6) If it’s not on this two-wheeler I’d be surprised.7) Temple in B&W. The flagpole was empty today.8) Paths inside the temple and getting the uplifted hand from passerbys.9) Where’s my customers? All these Golu Dolls to sell and no takers.10) Looking up again at the main temple gate as the sun sets.11) I take the big one in the back.12) Sunset on Mylapore Temple13) Coming thru, make way as I have places to go, things to sell.14) Added a film look here (FujiColor 400H) with Medium Format grain.15) Hanging out waiting for customers16) Shared an Instax Film Picture17) Together as one.

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Thanks for dropping by again. This time, I want to provide some insight into two scences which I pass every day going to lunch and headed home, i.e. The Iron Men and Brick Women of Chennai.

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

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Iron Men of Chennai

For over 15 years these Iron Men have been forging iron rebar tools for local construction workers, e.g. Metro Subway. They live on the sidewalks and on the street where jurisdiction gets confusing and without consequence given bureaucracy at work. Yet they serve the need to keep construction moving along in Chennai.

1) Here as the coals are stoked by the air fan, the rebar is being heated (sparks flying) ahead of being forged, i.e. pounded and pounded.2) Time to pound and forge the steel into the shapes you desire. Move quickly before it cools.3) Don’t forget the guy who prepares the coal to precise sizes for the perfect heat.4) Around in circles at a slow, steady rate to keep the coals burning hot, real hot.5) In the end, steel is forged in the shape desired thru the brute force of a hammer slung by the Iron Men of Chennai.

Brick Women of Chennai

For R450/day from 10a to 5p these women of all ages, mostly old pound bricks with a ball peen hammer weighing `10 oz or less. Thus to attain the force required to bust the brick into chunks requires a powerful swing. I continue to witness that women here in India do all the heavy lifting – a strong . The use and performance of concrete made with broken brick as

The use and performance of concrete made with broken brick as coarse aggregate are quite extensive and satisfactory for ordinary concrete here in India.

6) The number o women pounding away on a particular day varies from 3 to 10 with a total of 40 employed.6) Here the truck/lorry has arrived to take the processed bricks away. Those steel pans sure have taken a beating yet still do the job.7) Wondering what I’m doing. Had to do a lot of talking first to break the ice with their boss ahead of taking pictures. Plan to stop by with some snacks as a way of saying thanks.8) Finishing with a B&W depicting the never-ending process of brick breaking to be done as over the 3 years I’ve witnessed them every day pushing forward for the next load to bust.

It’s been 6 weeks in the planning, walked once to ensure safety, fun, photographic opportunities, fun… and it was deemed a “Go”. Today was the day. The photowalkers staggered in for the 6:00am start with eyes full-open for the adventure ahead. Now I need to work these images and more for my one global submission by 10/10.

Please provide your feedback on which image I should submit for the global competition.

Just a word of thanks to the Scott Kelby organization who pulled this global event off with ~22,000 photowalkers across ~1,200 global event sites. Cool. Also, a special thanks to “RK” for help me organize and walk the route ahead of 10/1. Went smooth.

Our Photowalk Route, 2.42km in George Town

Notice the wavy blue walking line – why? Had to avoid puddles, streams … of standing water from the night’s downpour.

Photowalk Image Gallery

1) Over the last 2 months, I’ve been providing Fujifilm Mini-Instax Prints to those who may have never touched a print of themselves. My small way to say thanks. Here I left ahead of the full film exposure as I want him to enjoy the experience alone.2) Finally found some light rays in this alleyway as these three gentlemen were preparing to weld a store sign frame. Safe work practices – maybe.3) I surprised this young man with a shot as he was in the wash mode in scrubbing his body for his morning bath. Later as you will see, we laughed.4) Again I provided this gentleman an Instax Print of this image in color as I’ve rendered it a Monochrome – Coffee Look.5) As we approached this Rickshaw, the driver immediately stood next to his rickshaw wanting us to take his picture. He’s very proud of his “Ride”. Wonder how much the fare is?6) With less than 2,000 Rickshaws left in Chennai, here we see parked amongst the “Autos” a lone “Rickshaw”, i.e. still a popular mode of transportation as witnessed this morning.7) What would a Chennai Photowalk be without a few Cows crossing our path on their morning walkabout. Gentle creatures, fearless of traffic – straight ahead they plow.8) We Laughed 🙂

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Welcome back to Big Mountain Photography!

(大山摄影 Da Shan Sheying).

Please enjoy the following 11 Images and the story told from our life and times in South India, i.e. Chennai (Old Madras).

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

Note: You can right-click to open the image in another tab to view in a larger size / resolution, right-click to download if you heart desires… your call.

Note: Red-colored text is a link for more information, i.e. Wikipedia, YouTube, Map…

Photowalk Route, 3.72km

Photowalk Image Gallery

1) I really like this fun image from inside an “Auto” rickshaw. Used an 8mm fisheye and poked my camera inside for the shot.2) A shot looking into St. Theresa of Avila Parish Church in Nungambakkam, Chennai established in 1912. I love the colored light coming in from the stain glass window, RH side shining on the backs of the three parishioners.3) “Featured Image” at the top of the post. I jumped ahead of the photowalk group to have a photo shoot around St Theresa Church alone. I’m glad I did as when the main group showed up, no pictures were allowed, outside or inside. Hmmm. Here is the RH side entrance with an 8mm Fisheye. Distortion retained.4) Take a tree, start a local temple for prayer and add an Auto Stand for good luck.5) Shot up into the trees capturing the morning sunlight varying in intensity across the green leaves. Being Fall, the one season I miss the most from Midwest US, I added a touch of fall colors.6) Another shot looking into to St. Teresa Church. Love the wood grain revealed in the two doors.7) This is shot again with an 8mm fisheye lens with the distortion removed. The RAW file was taken to ON1 Photo10 (soon to be ON1 RAW) with a B&W filter where you can manage different colors, i.e. drop the luminance of the blue sky to get the Ansel Adams Red Filter look. My favorite image from the photowalk.8) Here the morning light lit up the coconuts in the palm tree just right as if a spotlight was used. May take this to B&W later to capture the tonal range and blue sky potential.9) Another Street Portrait, yet this time I had the gentleman sit in his “Ambassador”, an Indian Icon.10) Trying B&W again with this store front display. Notice the reflection seen in the top half.11) Again, B&W with the bright blue sky turned black against this white stucco house.

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Thank you for stopping by Big Mountain Photography!

(大山摄影 Da Shan Sheying).

We’ve included 15 images with a short narrative of each image in sharing our life experiences from South India, i.e. Chennai (Old Madras). For the first time, I strolled around the inside of Arulmigu Kapaeeswarar Temple as my previous 10+ visits where only along the outer perimeter as always the crowds were too much. I’m glad I stopped in this time.

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

Note: Red-colored text is a link for more information, i.e. Wikipedia, YouTube, Map…

Note: You can right-click to open the image in another tab to view in a larger size / resolution, right-click to download if you heart desires… your call.

Photowalk Route – 2.4km

1) Sunrise above the Temple Tank Mylapore. Add a starburst flare with the camera stopped down to f/22 plus as an added feature – red lens flare for free.2) Inside looking out with an 8mm fisheye lens.3) Pictures were allowed yet never for any idol in any temple .4) I’d like to thank this gentleman for sharing the history behind the temple – very interesting. At the end, I asked if I could take his portrait, no problem.5) Using a film VanDyke Brown look, here is the morning sunrise in Mylapore as seen in the Featured Image.6) Had an enjoyable conversation with these two gentlemen before I asked to take their portrait.7) Using the 8mm fisheye again, it appears these five idols are “dancing”.8) The main entrance of the temple in Fujifilm Acros B&W. A little dodge & burn on the side to guide the fewer from the foreground to the background.9) Elephant Fun Time – Smile10) The 8mm fisheye lens is back.11) The Temple Tower main entrance as seen from the outside, note recently re-painted.12) Another temple tank sunrise.13) Looking up the Temple Tower, look at the detail.14) Temple Portrait in B&W.15) Looking up at Idols stacked upon each other.

The meeting point was at the Gandhi statue after that it’s go where you want then meet back 2 hours later at the starting point. Headed to the “Pigeon Covey” – 1000+.

Image Gallery

1) During the morning golden hour, we see an 8mm fisheye look. See the morning yoga class to the left?2) Applied a VanDyke Brown look to these two Marina Beach Horse Patrol – Old approach, Effective approach.3) Shot just as he was waking up, eyes just opening.4) Again the 8mm fisheye lens with these pigeon covey active on the beach feeding on the fresh bird feed provided by the locals. Went on for an hour as they flew up and flew back down over and over.5) Gandhi Statue looking north. Yes the 8mm fisheye again.6) Mr Pigeon Patrol at Work – Move with caution as one is threatened to leave. Public beach – not today.7) Looking to the sunrise as the pigeons continue to feed.8) Teacher and Student boxing lessons.9)Sunrise over Ghandi10) State Emblem of India– Four Headed Lion,symbolizing power, courage, confidence, and pride,

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Welcome back to Big Mountain Photography!

(大山摄影 Da Shan Sheying).

Please enjoy the following 22 images and the story told from our life and times in South India, i.e. Chennai (Old Madras).

A friend found this brick with my initials. I supposed one could look a lifetime for a match and never be successful. Thanks for the “SMK Brick“.

On G+, FB… please click on the link to my photoblog to view the rest of the story. If you like what you see, feel free to share on the social media of your choice.

Note: You can right-click to open the image in another tab to view in a larger size / resolution, right-click to download if you heart desires… your call.

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Keep an eye out for the pesky Bearista Bear.

The Chennai Photowalk Facebook group coordinates 2 walks per month on the 2nd and 4th Sunday early in the morning (~6:15am) to beat the day’s heat. I’ve been very lucky to have observed various locations across Chennai that I would have never explored given no immediate need. I suppose this is true for any photowalk, anywhere.

Photowalk Route

This was one of the longest photowalks over the last 2+years, i.e. 5.47 km. Enjoyed every minute as we ventured into Burma Colony hit heavy by flooding last Dec’15. The Adyar River went over the banks by 12′. Hope this doesn’t repeat.

Photowalk Sights Along the Way

1) A young “MGR” look. As I was taking a fisheye shot of the temple statue, this young boy with shades jumped in for his picture. How could you not take a push the shutter release.2) All smiles and missing a tooth – what happiness is made of.3) Frame Within a Frame. Love the story here as Photowalkers tour around the temple followed by the local temple cow, the boy sits outside the entryway.4) Madras War Cemetary: Our photowalk group of 20+ was not allowed in initially to the cemetery so I had to shoot from afar, ~200′.5) B&W of the Madras War Cemetery6) Faces of Chennai: This elderly lady had no issue with a photo especially after I gave here a Fujifilm Instax print on the spot.7) Capturing the moment as the lady of the house sitting in the shadows wonders what the heck is this guy doing. A VanDyke Brown look.8) Faces of Chennai: An unposed Street Portrait as this gentleman as he wonders what the heck all these photographers are doing on my street.9) A bluebird day with a blue sky and white puffy clouds above this local temple tower.10) Caught in the action of smiling generously as she was bringing in the paper to her father.11) The local temple drum band waits for the loading of their Ganesha onto a truck headed to the sea for immersion.12) Mother and Daughter of the house in the Burma Colony were all smiles for passer byes.13) At the local temple seen in other images, we ran into a wedding party. Here the girls are greeting attendees to traditional Indian welcoming items. Somehow Bearista Bear jumped in the scene to steal the show again.14) An alleyway in Burma Colony looking out to the Adyar River between houses.15) Darn, just as I was taking this image of the colorful warrior, Bearista Bear jumped in the foreground with the auto-focus on him and blurring the background. Oh well.16) Angala Easwari Muneeswarar Aalayam – Click Me17) Veludharan. Stay alert.18) Dec 2015 flooding (water-logging) brought the Adyar River 12′ above the already 15′ banks. Click and watch the video. The trash shown here is what’s left from the terrible flooding.19) Here at the start of the photowalk, a local temple provided very colorful, highly textured idols.20) Of course, one trash pile becomes another’s treasure or meal in this case. Along the Aydar River in Burma Colony, post Dec-15 Big Flood.21) The same local temple with three in a row.22) A different, drive-in temple. Here this Devotee is leaving after completing his plan.

Welcome back to Big Mountain Photography

(大山摄影 Da Shan Sheying).

Transitioning from a Nikon D810 to Fujifilm XPro-2 Rangefinder Camera with Fujinon Lenses, see Gear/SW Page.

Please enjoy the images and stories they tell from our life and times in South India, i.e. Chennai (Old Madras).

Note: You can right-click to open the image in another tab to view in greater size / resolution, download if you heart desires… your call.

The Ganesh(a) Festival ends with an immersion into the sea after being worshipped over a period of days at home and/or local temple. A final pooja (prayer) is perfomred ahead of immersion.

Here, I’ve captured a local temple with a 30′ pineapple Ganesha and the sequence of immersion into the sea at Foreshore Estate Beach in Chennai.

Local Pineapple Ganesha

At a T-Intersection near work, there’s a small, local temple which erected a “Pineapple Ganesha”. I had to stop and take a shot of the morning traffic jam of people on foot, bike, two-wheeler, car, truck… going to work. This image is processed in Fujifilm Velvia film simulation giving the bright rich colors and shot with an 8mm fisheye lens.“Pineapple Ganesha”. Look at the detail involved in putting this together with the lines of the trunk, the RH broken tusk used to write a book by Ganesha… Well Done. PS Haven’t figured out how the “eye” is made.Here individual and/or family terra-cotta Ganesha from Monday’s home Pooja sit next to the Pineapple Ganesha waiting for a ride to the sea and immersion.Sometimes the best image is behind you, just look. Here with my 8mm fisheye, I caught this bus passing as I turned around. Not until I saw the image in LR did I realize the reflection I captured. Cool.

Immersion Photowalk Route

An interesting route I took around the beach and cranes watching trucks arriving with Ganesha immersed. Yes, I got wet to my knees getting the shot.

Ganesha Immersion Sequenced

Thr trucks arrive from all over Chennai’s neighborhood temples and line up for “Ganesha Disembarkment”. Here volunteers assist the temple devotees. If the Ganesha is too large, then the crane is used to lift it up and out to the beach.Here the Ganesha is off-loaded and carried by 6-8 devotees to the sea’s edge for a final Pooja ahead of immersion.This hand erected wooden tower for police surveillance as the crowds grow is being used my 5 boys intensely watching the event. What memories are made of.A VanDyke Brown image showing as the crane drops of its prize, i.e. a huge black and gold Ganesha.The Purple / Yellow colors pop with Fujifilm’s Velvia film simulation applied. Another Ganesha being off-loaded for immersion.This larger paper mache Ganesha statue is being whisked thru the air to the edge of the sea.Here’s one of two cranes used all day to off-load 2,615 Ganesha for immersion, i.e. the local police’s limit for immersion. Again an 8mm fisheye lens. Distortion is just part of the story.Here a local fisherman’s boat is used to take the Ganesha far out into the sea by three adventurers.This Velvia Film simulation has lovely colors and detail. My favorite image depicting the final moments before immersion.Here a temple devotee takes this smaller Ganesha to sea, isn’t he having fun. – all smiles.Immersion complete as the waves come in to finish the work.Oh yes, some of these paper mache Ganesha statues fall apart with body parts being used in a joyful way for the Immersion.

For the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk on Saturday, October 1st, we decided to follow the exact route in George Town this morning.

We headed north on Malayaperumal Street from the starting point at the corner of NSC Bose Street immediately surrounded by Fruit and Vegetable street vendors. This was the longest portion of the walk given all the street photography opportunities.

We continued north until Audiappa Naicken St and turned left headed west. Here the rickshaws (not Autos) were numerous. At Godown Street, we turned left back to NSC Bose Street – not much activity on this “Textile Street this morning.

Reaching NSC Bose Street again we turned right headed for another right turn on Govindappan Naicken St (Electrical Goods Street) with a quick left turn on Kasi Chetty Street turning left again on Narayana Mudali Street back to NSC Bose Street again. We now in Sowcarpet, having left George Town.

Now a right turn headed towards South Mint Street where we make our final turn (RH) towards our end point traversing another Fruit and Vegetable Market and a beautiful Jain Temple. Personal Note for Oct 1st: Should have picked up some onions as they don’t get any fresher.

There are still openings left for the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in George Town, Chennai. Sign-up Here.

Used this opportunity to test our a new Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye II Lens for my Fujifilm XPro-2. Awesome addition. Lens distortion corrected here and there but not always.

On a side note, during the photowalk I pointed out a mouse behind the shopkeeper. He looked and held his hands a foot apart signifying the mother of all rats. Glad to have missed that fellow.

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Here I am in South India in the state of Tamil Nadu absorbing the cultural richness of people, festivals, colors and anything else one sees around the corner.

If you choose (and we hope you will) to keep updated, please “FOLLOW” along.

Let me introduce the Dashan Sheying traveling mascot who will at times make a guest appearance in my photoblog a kin to the “Traveling Gnome” phenomena which continues even today. Had to drink a lot of coffee to score this guy. Please welcome “Mr. Bearista Bear” to the team.

Thank you for stopping by,

please enjoy the images and

the story we witnessed at Shri Aadhi Para Sakthi Temple

Had a chance to visit a small, local residential Amman Temple in Konnur this morning. People were extremely friendly and as usually asked that I take their photograph – what an honor

The Gold Star is the location of the temple, see below. The physical temple may be small at 80sqm, yet the local families make a small temple large with heart.